This guide is intended to help you understand how pokemon cards are valued, what makes them desirable, and how to determine their rarity. Please keep in mind this is just an overview. There are over 720 different Pokemon, not including their variations. In this guide I share with you only a handful of Pokemon cards I myself have collected and studied.
The First thing any Collector of Pokemon Cards needs to know.
Originating in Japan, "Pocket Monster" cards were released in 1996. The back of the card has the familiar Pokeball, however the Japanese cards displayed "Pocket Monster" as opposed to later versions of the cards which just showed "Pokemon." Celebrating their 20th anniversary, Nintendo and Pokemon have only been growing in popularity, with handheld games, home console games, action figures, and more!!!
On the left hand side of the card, below the depiction of the character, you will see a "1" symbol within a black circle, the word "edition" scrolled above it. The most ultra-rare 1st Editioncards have an "st" next to the "1". First edition variations of Pikachu and Charizard are in my opinion the most valuable, including Shining Charizard, Dark Raichu, however there are many sought after variations.
Holographic 1st Edition Cards
Looking closely behind our example of Machamp, we see a shimmering surface. This is know as a "holo" or a "foil" card. These are more rare than "non-holo" 1st editions, however not significantly more valuable, depending on the character of course.
Dark Variations and Booster Pack Symbols
Here we have a DarkAlakazam Holographic 1st edition Team Rocket.You can see the familiar shimmer, indicating that this card is a "holo," or "foil." The first edition symbol appears on the left. The Booster Pack symbol appears on the opposite side of the character depiction than where you would find the 1st edition symbol. The "R" represents the team rocket booster pack. There are other packs with other symbols, such as XY or the Jungle Pack. Clearly this character variation is known as "Dark," many characters have dark variations.
Evolution Of Characters
Jigglypuff's first evolution, "Wigglytuff." This card is from the Jungle booster pack, as can been seen by the symbol to the right of the character depiction. Other examples of a character evolution is Picachu's "Raichu," or Charmander's "Charmeloen," & "Charizard." There are other evolutions where in you will see "EX" next to the name, as well as "C lv.10
EX Characters & C lv.X Characters
The EX variation is typically the ultimate form of the character, ex: CharizardEx/M Charizard EX. Above we have an example of MRayquaza's ultimate form, it is aslo what is known as a "full art," or a "full holo" card. In these variations you can see that the character depiction goes outside of the traditional box form. Obviously this card happens to be Japanese. There are American variations of this card. Rayquaza C lv.X is a lesser power level than EX, however its a great example of a Black Star Promo.
Reverse Holographic Cards
Beedrill Reverse Holo
Clearly the Character Depiction itself is not holographic. The outside of the traditional character box itself is holographic. These types of cards are much more rare than your standard holo cards.
Promo Cards can be as rare and collectible as 1st Edition Cards
Below you can see the Mewtwoblackstar promo card, and a collection of WB blackstar promo cards. Promotional cards are manufactured to publicize 3rd party companies, like Mcdonalds and WB.
World Championship Cards
Much like Booster Packs, annually released, the world championship
cards can be as rare and valuable as any other promo card. The individual rarity of each card can significantly increase the value of any of these cards. One of the biggest factors in determining value is found at the bottom right corner of the card. These symbols denote common, uncommon, and rare cards.
Common, Uncommon/Rare, & Ultra Rare Pokemon Cards
Below are four cards. each one represents the rarity of the individual card. Shining Tyranitar on the top right has 3 little stars in the bottom right corner. The more stars, the more rare the card, these would be known as Ultra Rare cards. Immediately to the left of Shining Tyranitar is a Trainer card known as a " Full Holo Rare Candy," this card was released in 2013, but its rarity is not denoted by its year necessarily. In the bottom right corner of the card you will see one star. This card would be considered uncommon, or rare. The most common cards have either a circle or a diamond, however a card like 1st edition Jigglypuffwould have more value than other common cards simply because it is a first edition. On the immediate left of the rarity symbol you will see a set of numbers, the rare candy is special because it denotes a 105/101, as well as the Shining Tyranitar denoted 113/105, which means it wasn't commonly released with other booster packs of its kind. Regularly you will see numbers like the ones on Jigglypuff, 54/64. Promo cards will have a single number, these numbers don't denote rarity. The most desirable cards that were produced in America were produced by a company called "Wizards of the West Coast." On the bottom of the card you will see "wizards," other manufacturers later would begin to produce the cards. Next to the manufacture name you will find the year the cards were produced. The earliest "wizards" cards denote 1999. Wizards cards are far more collectible than other american cards.
Trainer Cards and Stadium Cards
1st Edition Trainer Maintenance Card
Stadium cards are technically trainer cards. Some later variations of stadium cards don't include the trainer title. There are all sorts of Trainer cards, from items to training techniques. I have seen very few 1st edition Trainer cards, they do exist.
Energy Cards
Holographic Energy Card
These are examples of energycards, however the vast majority of energy cards are not holographic or promo cards unlike the examples on the left. Energy cards are by far the most common cards, and usually don't have much value. However there are one star Energy cards depicting much less common energies.
Gold Plated Pokemon Cards
23k Goldplated pokemon cards are pretty common, but still have a value comparable to an uncommon/rare card.
Holographic Charizard 103/100
Charizard, the most coveted Pokemon
This is an example of a holographic Charizard. I've easily purchased more than 5000 pokemon cards, and this is the only one I've personally owned. Since it is not a 1st Edition this is by far not the most valuable Charizard card, however, as you can see he is marked 103/100, he is available for purchase. The 1st edition of this card is worth $600.00 USD for example.
I have a variety of Pokemon card lots available, as well as individual cards. Most lots include many rare holo cards, trainer cards, energy cards, and stadium cards. The items you've seen presented in this guide are either cards I have sold, or cards that I currently have for sale. I always have more cards being listed, so don't forget to subscribe and check back in for my latest discoveries.
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